The ZDHC Foundation has revised its ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 to further extend the list of harmful chemical substances to be restricted in their use, including PFAS treatments used for textiles, leather, and footwear.
- The changes for MRSL Version 3.0 have been published on the Roadmap to Zero website.
- Along with the publication of the new ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0, the ZDHC Foundation has also published the updated versions of the ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidance (Version 2.0), ZDHC MRSL Update Principle and Procedures (Version 3.0), and ZDHC MRSL Industry Standard Implementation Approach (Version 2.0).
- The release of the ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 and its supporting documents comes with a transition period of 12 months for effective implementation by all stakeholders.
The Updates: The ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 has several updates.
- This particularly includes a ban on all formulations based on or including PFAS substances used for fashion, sport or outdoor apparel and footwear, and home textiles.
- Other major updates include corrections and additions in CAS reference numbers of MRSL substances, test methods, in some cases revision of formulation limits and addition of substances from the Candidate List to the ZDHC MRSL, such as free aniline, cyclic siloxanes, solvents, etc. The Candidate List has also been updated and Navy Blue Colorant has been moved to the Archived List.
- The updated ZDHC MRSL V3.0 aligns with Bluesign’s planned removal of all existing Bluesign Approved PFAS containing formulations from the Bluesign Finder in order to restrict PFAS under REACH for all non-essential uses including in consumer products.
The Restricted List: The ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL) is a living document that is regularly updated to ensure that ZDHC’s Guidelines and requirements are continuously challenging and pushing the textile, leather, apparel and footwear industry forward in their journey towards sustainable chemical management.
The Other Updates:
- The ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidance has been updated to Version 2.0 to reflect increased commitment from the chemical industry toward sustainable chemical management.
- ZDHC MRSL Update Principles and Procedures Version 3.0 explains how the update process of the ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 has been executed in the background. The new version of the document explains the principles and procedures of the ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 in more detail than the previous version.
Industry Standards: ZDHC has also published the ZDHC MRSL Industry Standard Implementation Approach Version 2.0, which details how the industry stakeholders should implement the updated ZDHC MRSL (Version 3.0) across their value chains.
- As with the previous revisions of the ZDHC MRSL, the implementation of the ZDHC MRSL Version 3.0 and the ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidance Version 2.0 has a one-year transition period for all stakeholders.
- Chemical formulators will need to re-certify their formulations from the ZDHC Approved MRSL Certifiers in accordance with the new guidelines, and publish their products with their respective ZDHC MRSL Conformance Levels in the ZDHC Gateway.
- Suppliers will have an additional six months at the end of the transition period (i.e., 01 November 2023) to exhaust their stocks of ZDHC MRSL Version 2.0 conformant products.
What They Said:
It is critical for chemical formulators of the textiles, leather, and footwear industry to align with one global MRSL. The benefit to Chemical Formulators is that they don’t need to deal with multiple hazardous substance specifications and limits which simplifies chemical management processes. Most textile and leather customers purchasing chemicals now request compliance with the latest ZDHC MRSL and a ChemCheck Report as proof.
— Amy Huang
Head of Product Stewardship Division
Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation
The ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme continues to evolve. This enables us to take a tough but pragmatic approach to previously challenging topics such as solvents and chemicals that are recognised as being harmful but necessary for critical end uses, such as medical textiles or items for first responders.
— Phil Patterson
Chair
MRSL Advisory Council
